Cult Epics has set Agusti Villaronga’s Moon Child for release on Blu-ray Combo on 4/24.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Looking Glass on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/3, starring Nicholas Cage and Robin Tunney.

Severin Films will release Sinfonia Erotica and The Sadist of Notre Dame on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/3.

And Shout! Factory has just set Dif’erent Strokes: The Complete Final Season for DVD release on 5/29.

Finally today, here’s something cool for Lord of the Rings fans: No, it’s not news of a 4K Ultra HD release of the films, but Rhino Records will re-releasing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – The Complete Recordings on 4/6 (SRP $79.99). Long out of print, this is a 4-disc set that includes Howard Shore’s complete extended score for the film on 3 CDs and also a lossless Blu-ray Audio disc with both 2.0 stereo and surround versions (the original release included this on DVD-Audio). There will also be a 5-LP vinyl edition of this set, limited to 5,000 copies, for $119.98. You can see the packaging for both below. Click on the images to pre-order them on Amazon…

All right, just as we expected, Disney and Lucasfilm have just officially announced director Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on 3/27, with the Digital/Movies Anywhere release set for 3/13.

Here’s something exciting for 4K fans from the press release: “This release will mark Disney’s first title available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in both Dolby Vision™ HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, delivering consumers a transformative viewing experience.” [Read on here...]

Also exciting: “Director Rian Johnson takes fans on an intimate journey into the creation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in a feature-length documentary, explaining his unique interpretation of the Force, detailing the painstaking process of creating Snoke, and deconstructing action-packed scenes from the film such as the epic space battle and the final confrontation.”

The full list of extras on the Blu-ray versions includes The Director and the Jedi feature-length documentary, audio commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson, 2 featurettes (Balance of the Force and Andy Serkis Live! (One Night Only)), 3 scene breakdowns (including Lighting the Spark: Creating the Space Battle, Snoke and Mirrors, and Showdown on Crait), and 14 deleted scenes with introduction and optional commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson (we believe 20-30 minutes worth of material in all).

As mentioned before, audio on the 4K Ultra HD will be 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, while the Blu-ray will feature 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Star Wars: The Last Jedi was also shot mostly on 35mm photochemical film (with some digital photography used for select scenes) and was finished to a native 4K Digital Intermediate, so the title should look spectacular on UHD. Here’s what the cover artwork looks like...

There will be retail-exclusive versions too, including the BD and 4K in Steelbook packaging at Best Buy and the Blu-ray with a 40-page collector’s book at Target. It does appear that there will be no Blu-ray 3D version here in the States, but you can pre-order a Region B Blu-ray 3D here on Amazon.co.uk. Due to a continuing on-going dispute between Disney and Amazon, the title isn’t yet available for pre-order on Amazon (though you can see the SKU pages by clicking on the cover art above), but should be on street date.

Here is a list of known 4K Ultra HD titles released, announced, or in the works for the U.S. and U.K. markets before the end of 2017 (and into early 2018), compiled from our sources and best-available information.

Let us know if we’ve missed any titles or have incorrect details/links. Note that all street dates listed are U.S. dates.

Please keep in mind that TBA titles and dates are ESTIMATES based on best-available information from sources and are NOT to be considered official until the studios in question make their respective announcements.

There are unconfirmed reports that Warner is also working on The Polar Express, Gravity, and The Matrix. Additional titles I’ve personally seen 4K Ultra HD tests of (in private meetings at CES) include The Godfather and Lawrence of Arabia, but whether they’ve been fully mastered and authored for released yet is unconfirmed.

All right… today is the President’s Day holiday here in the States, but we do have a couple of announcements for you today...

First, if our retail, industry, and studio sources are correct, Disney and Lucasfilm are expected to announce the Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and Digital release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow. If and when that happens, we’ll have all the official details and cover artwork for you ASAP. [Read on here...]

Meanwhile, we have a couple of new Blu-ray reviews for you: Tim has checked in with his thoughts on the Warner Archive’s Valley of the Gwangi and also Severin Films’ Threads. Both are worth your time. If you haven’t seen it, Threads really packs a wallop. I’ll let Tim tell you more about both of them.

I will also be back later today (or tomorrow morning) with my own thoughts on Disney and Pixar’s Coco on 4K Ultra HD. It’s an extraordinary film. Watch for that soon.

In other announcement news today, Universal has revealed some new classic catalog titles for release on Blu-ray on 3/27, including The Thrill of It All!, The List of Adrian Messenger, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that it’s working on a new Blu-ray and DVD release of The Bigamist (1953), a Paramount title mastered from a new 4K scan of the 35mm negative.

And Vinegar Syndrome is releasing 5 Films 5 Years: Volume 2 – Horror and Exploitation on Blu-ray on 3/27 as well, including The Muthers, Flesh & Billets, Hang Up, Dungeon of Harrow, and Murder on the Emerald Seas.

This is just a quick update with news that the Criterion Collection has just announced its May Blu-ray slate…

Look for it to include Frank Borzage’s Moonrise (Cat #921 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 5/8, Aki Kaurismäki’s The Other Side of Hope (Cat #922 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 5/15, Christian Mungiu’s Graduation (Cat #924 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Beyond the Hills (Cat #923 – Blu-ray and DVD), and an upgrade of Paul Shrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (Cat #432 – Blu-ray, DVD, and iTunes) on 5/22, and John Schleshinger’s Midnight Cowboy (Cat #925 – Blu-ray and DVD) and an upgrade of Robert Bresson’s Au Hasard Balthazar (Cat #297 – Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes) on 5/29.

In announcement news today, Lionsgate has just set Greta Gerwig’s Best Picture-nominated film Ladybird for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/6. Extras will include audio commentary with Gerwig and cinematographer Sam Levy along with the Realizing Lady Bird featurette. You can see the cover artwork at left and it’s available for pre-order below.

Warner Archive just thrilled Batman fans with a Valentine’s Day tease that they’re working on a new Blu-ray edition of the animated Batman vs. Mr. Freeze: SubZero Blu-ray. We don’t have a street date yet, but it’ll be a very nice appetizer until Warner Archive releases they’re forthcoming Batman: The Animated Series Blu-ray set later this year. Our hats off to everyone at the Archive; they’re killing it with these releases. [Read on here…]

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the 4/10 Blu-ray and DVD release of Outlander: Season Three. All 13 episodes will be included, along with 27 deleted and extended scenes (with introductions by execuitive producer Ronald D. Moore), a gag reel, and 2 featurettes (A Traveling Show Takes Sail and The Transformation of Geillis Duncan). There will also be a Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set with exclusive content that includes an additional deleted scene, Outlander podcast commentaries for each episode, and 4 additional featurettes (Clarie & Jamie: Together Again, Jamie’s Revolution, Claire: Through Time, and Saying Goodbye to Frank and Jonathan Randall). The Limited Edition also comes in special packaging with a 28-page collector’s booklet. You can see the cover artwork (and pre-order them) below.

And Kino Lorber has announced that they’re working on new Studio Classics Blu-ray and DVD releases of Ida Lupino’s The Bigamist (1953) and George Cukor’s A Bill of Divorcement (1932).

Also, here’s cool news on the hardware front: Panasonic has just announced a new flagship model of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player - the DP-UB9000. We don’t have an SRP or a street date beyond the second half of this year, but it will support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, has Panasonic’s latest Hollywood Cinema Experience (HCX) processor, will offer a dedicated audio power supply, a vibration-reducing chassis, a balanced XLR out and other features designed to appeal to audiophile enthusiasts. It will also add Alexa and Google Assistant voice control via eventual firmware updates. It seems to me this is a response to the outstanding audiophile and enthusiast 4K UHD players from Oppo Digital, which we use here at The Bits and which are excellent. Great to see there are more offerings in this category. Here’s what the DP-UB9000 looks like...

All right, we’ll leave you with a look a couple of the titles mentioned above (click on the covers to pre-order on Amazon.com)…

In announcement news today, Universal has officially set Craig Gillespie’s twisted comedy I, Tonya for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/13, with the Digital release expected on 3/2. The film stars Margo Robbie and Allison Janney. It’s quite good.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release the anime Batman Ninja on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/8. The BD will include English dubbed audio as well as the original Japanese audio with English subtitles. Strangely, there are also plans to release it in 4K but digitally only this summer, not on 4K UHD Blu-ray. That seems like a mistake to me, but I suppose that if the Blu-ray sells well the studio could reconsider. Extras will include 3 featurettes (East/West Batman, Batman: Made in Japan, and New York Comic Con Presents Batman Ninja). The Blu-ray will also be available in regular and Steelbook versions. [Read on here…]

Warner and TNT have also set Claws: The Complete First Season for DVD only release on 4/17.

And Warner and the BBC are releasing Doctor Who: Tom Baker – The Complete First Season on Blu-ray on 3/20.

Paramount has officially announced their Up in Smoke: 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Combo for release on 4/10. There will also be a Deluxe Collector’s Edition version of the Blu-ray that includes the original soundtrack on both CD and LP (including a newly-recorded Up in Spoke: 2018 Version), as well as a 7-inch picture disc of Earache My Eye/Lost Due to Incompetence, an 11x17 poster, a booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, and oversized rolling papers. All versions will also include the existing special features along with the all-new How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40 featurette.

Lionsgate will release The Sandman: Don’t Fall Asleep on DVD only on 3/6. They’ve also set The Last Movie Star, featuring Burt Reynolds and Chevy Chase, for release on Blu-ray and Digital on 3/27.

Well Go USA has announced Kickboxer: Retaliation for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 3/13.

MVD is releasing Abominable on Blu-ray on 6/12 as part of their Rewind Collection.

Cinedigm will release Scorched Earth on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/6.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics is releasing The Maze (1953) on Blu-ray 3D on 4/24. They also have Camp Nowhere (1994) coming to Blu-ray and DVD on 4/17. And on 4/10, look for The Psychopath (1966) and Manhandled (1924). They also have new Blu-ray and DVD editions of A Bill of Divorcement (1932) coming soon.

Here’s something interesting: Kino has also set a Blu-ray release of Arnold Fanck’s The Holy Mountain (1926) for release on 4/24. [Editor’s Note: We’d previously reported that this was the Jodorowsky film based upon an error in the Amazon listing. It’s definitely the 1926 Fanck film, which stars Leni Riefenstahl. Adjust your plans accordingly.] They have Emir Kusturica’s Underground coming on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/20 too, including both the 170-minute feature film version and also the 327-minute/6-part TV version.

Mill Creek has announced their April slate, which is set to include For the Love of Benji (BD/DVD), Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century: The Complete Series (DVD), Getting Gotti (DVD), Human Trafficking (DVD), a Charles Bronson Collection (BD – with The Valachi Papers, The Stone Killer, Breakout, and Hard Times), the Sherlock Holmes film A Study in Terror (BD), Kevin Bacon: The 6 Degrees Collection (BD – with The Big Picture, Flatliners, Hollow Man, Trapped, In the Cut, and Where the Truth Lies), and a Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? double-feature (DVD). Street date appears to be 4/3 for all. [Editor’s Note: It’s worth noting that we believe the Bronson Collection marks the first time that Hard Times has been released on Blu-ray.]

And for UK readers, Eureka! has set Early Hou Hsiao-hsien: Three Films 1980-1983 for release on Blu-ray on 4/16. The films included are Cute Girl, The Green, Green Grass of Home, and The Boys from Fengkuei.

Finally today, we’re pleased to offer you the very first full episode of our new Talking Blu with The Digital Bits YouTube roundtable webcast collaboration with our friends at Midnight’s Edge! We plan to do at least a couple of these each month, talking about a variety of Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD issues, as well as movie news and other subjects. In this first episode, Tim and I are joined by André Einherjar and Tom Connors, Jr. to discuss Warner’s forthcoming home video release of Justice League. We hope you enjoy it and (if you do) please share it with your friends on social media! Here you go...

FYI, I’ve been busy with server work these last couple weeks, but I’m diving back into disc reviews myself as well – on both Blu-ray and 4K – so watch for more of those starting tomorrow. [Read on here…]

In announcement news, we mentioned yesterday that Paramount was releasing the Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition on 4K Ultra HD on 4/24. No sooner did we post then the studio’s official press release came in. The disc will include the film in full native 4K scanned from the original negative in a process supervised by director Randal Kleisner, including an HDR color grade, and a new Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound mix created from the original 70 mm 6-track audio elements. Both the 4K disc and its enclosed Blu-ray edition will feature this new restoration, along with all the legacy Blu-ray special features. Newly-created for this release will be the Grease: A Chicago Story featurette, new alternate animated main titles and an alternate ending. There will also be a separate Blu-ray release in Digibook packaging and a Grease Collection: Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray that same day that includes the Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition, Grease 2, Grease: Live on BD. This would be the first time that Grease 2 has ever been released on BD. You can see the 4K cover art above left.

Also today, we’ve now gotten confirmation from retailers that Warner is planning to release a new 4K Ultra HD version of The Matrix – at least the original film. Look for that in May or June, after the release of Warner’s 2001: A Space Odyssey 4K UHD release, currently expected in April. We would expect to see official announcements by the studio in the coming weeks.

And in regular Blu-ray news, Kino Lorber has announced the Studio Classics release of more DePatie/Freleng animated titles on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/24, including The Dogfather (1974-75) and Misterjaw (1976-77). The former will be a single disc release with 17 animated shorts, while the latter is a 2-disc set with 34 shorts. Extras will include audio commentaries and new documentary featurettes. You can see the cover artwork below.

Look also for the Paramount western titles Trigger, Jr. (1950) and Singing Guns (1950) on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/17, mastered from new 4K scans. And on 4/24 look for Trapeze (1956), Ruby Gentry (1952), and A Woman’s Devotion (1956) on Blu-ray and DVD from Kino.

Meanwhile, Kino and Code Red have also set The Bone Yard (1991) for Blu-ray release on 4/3.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for a couple of the titles mentioned above (click on the images to pre-order them on Amazon, if available)…

A number of you have asked today if CBS has any plans to release the recently completed first season of Star Trek: Discovery on Blu-ray and DVD. Nothing has been announced yet, but keep in mind that any release that might be planned would almost certainly not street until Season Two of the show was close to airing on CBS All Access (and Netflix internationally). That’s usually the pattern that’s followed for such things. So while it’s possible we could see an announcement of a home release soon, more likely it won’t happen until much later in 2018 or early 2019. The second season is expected to begin shooting in April.

Indicator Films has set The New Centurions (1972), Hardcore (1979), Gumshoe (1971), and Town on Trial (1957) for Blu-ray release in the UK on 3/19. These are all region free Blu-rays, so you can safely import them to the US. In fact, they’re up for pre-order on Amazon.com now. Indicator is also releasing The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972), Little Murders (1971), and Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) on Blu-ray in the UK on 4/23, but those are all Region B locked.

Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing have just announced that they’re releasing Caravan to Vaccares (1974) on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/24.

On the 4K front, we’re getting reports from European retailers that Fox may be preparing a new Die Hard: 30th Anniversary Edition for release on 4K Ultra HD this summer (the actual anniversary is 7/15, so likely around then).

It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but we’re hearing from enough retailers to consider it likely: Paramount is releasing a Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition on 4K Ultra HD on 4/24. We don’t have any other details yet, but we’ve updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits accordingly.[Update: The title has just been officially announced: Full details and artwork to come in tomorrow’s Bits post.]

Also, while a 4K release hasn’t been announced here in the States, Europe and Canada appear to be getting a 4K Ultra HD release of The Phantom Thread.

And finally today, Fabulous Films in the UK is releasing the Universal TV titles Northern Exposure: The Complete Series (3/19) and Quantum Leap: The Complete Collection (now available, streeted 1/29) on Blu-ray in the UK, and we have reason to believe they plan to release Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Columbo, and Murder She Wrote on BD as well. These titles are Region B locked, just FYI.

First, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD formats on 3/20, with the Digital HD release expected on 3/6. Extras on the Blu-ray versions will include 5 featurettes (Journey Through the Jungle: The Making of Jumanji, Meet the Players: A Heroic Cast, Attack of the Rhinos!, Surviving the Jungle: Spectacular Stunts!, and Book to Board Game to Big Screen & Beyond! Celebrating the Legacy of Jumanji), along with a Gag Reel, and the Jumanji, Jumanji music video by Jack Black and Nick Jonas. [Read on here…]

Note that the list has also been updated to reflect the likely release of Clint Eastwood’s 15:17 to Paris and also 12 Strong, both from Warner Bros.

Also today, Kino Lorber has just announced a few new catalog BD titles due on 4/3, including a double feature of Two Much (1996) and Miami Rhapsody (1995), along with My Father the Hero (1994), Celtic Pride (1996), and The 6th Man (1997). All will include trailers and all but Two Much and The 6th Man will include director’s commentary.

In release news today, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially set The Phantom Thread for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/10. Extras on the Blu-ray will include 2 featurettes (House of Woodcock and Behind the Scenes), a collection of deleted scenes under the title For the Hungry Boy, and Camera Tests.

Also, just as we first revealed the other day, Universal has now officially set the Marvel Cinematic Universe title The Incredible Hulk for release on 4K Ultra HD on 4/10. You can see the cover art (with Amazon.com pre-order link) below. Audio will be DTS:X and the high dynamic range will be HDR10. We’ve updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits accordingly.

FYI, Universal is also releasing Cecil B. DeMille’s original Cleopatra (1934) on Blu-ray on 4/10.

Meanwhile today, Shout! Factory has set Carbon Copy for Blu-ray release on 5/15, starring George Segal and Denzel Washington in one of his first big screen roles.

Scream Factory has set Doctor Blood’s Coffin for Blu-ray release the same day. The also have Caged Fury coming on Blu-ray on 5/8.

And Kino Lorber has just announced that they’re working on a new Blu-ray and DVD release of Under Capricorn (1949) from a new 4K scan. The film stars Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotton.

Also today, it’s beginning to look as if both the Target and Walmart-exclusive Blu-ray versions of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s Justice League Blu-ray will include unique deleted scenes. The Target disc will apparently have a number of scenes, while the Walmart disc will have a single scene plus a collection of pins. The Best Buy-exclusive will feature the Blu-ray and 4K release in Steelbook packaging.

Finally today, we’ve got a new installment of our video/podcast partnership with the folks at Midnight’s Edge up for you today, featuring an interview with our own Tim Salmons. Our first full episode of Talking Blu with The Digital Bits is currently set to go live on Saturday (we’ll keep you up to date on that). Meanwhile, enjoy today’s chat with Tim below...

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We’ll leave you today with a look at the cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above. Click on the covers to pre-order them on Amazon.com…

In announcement news today, Paramount has just officially set Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life for 4K Ultra HD release on 2/27. Both will include the Blu-ray versions will the previous special features. The only extra on the 4K discs will be the legacy audio commentaries. Meanwhile, audio will be 5.1 DTS-HD MA on the 4K discs, presumably with video enhanced with HDR10. [Read on here…]

Lionsgate has set Braven for Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital release on 4/10, starring Jason Momoa of Justice League fame.

20th Century Fox has just announced the DVD only release of Baskets: The Complete Season Two. It’s apparently available now.Fox has also just announced The Sandlot: 25th Anniversary Edition for Blu-ray release on 3/27, including 10 custom Topps cards, a poster, and a collectible booklet.

Universal has officially set the direct-to-video sequel Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell for Blu-ray and Digital release on 5/1. Extras will include 3 featurettes (The Making of Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell, Anatomy of a Scene, and Inside Chang’s Market). Also coming that day is a Tremors: The Complete Collection DVD box set with A Cold Day in Hell and all the previous sequels.

Kino Lorber has announced that Camp Nowhere (1994) and Straight Talk (1992) are coming to Blu-ray and DVD on 4/17 as part of their Studio Classics line. This follows the 4/10 arrival of The Psychopath (1966), Manhandled (1924), Stage Struck (1925), Bad Company (1995), Deceived (1991), and Consenting Adults (1992) on both formats. The company is also at work on a Blu-ray and DVD release of the film noir A Strange Adventure (1956) and Paramount’s The Last Command (1955), the latter mastered from a new 4K scan.

PBS Distribution is releasing the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s a Beautiful Day Collection on DVD, in honor of the show’s 50th anniversary. It will include 32 episodes (over 15 hours of content in all), including the B&W premiere. Look for it on 3/27 (SRP $19.99).

PBS is also releasing the documentary Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 2/20.

CBS will release The Good Fight: Season One on DVD only on 3/13, including all 10 episodes, plus a gag reel, and deleted/extended scenes.

Also on the TV front, Shout! Factory has set Peyton Place: Part Three for DVD only release on 3/27.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for a couple of the titles mentioned above (click to pre-order them on Amazon, if available)…

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has just set director Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated film The Shape of Water for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 3/13, with the Digital/Movies Anywhere release expected on 2/27.

Extras on the Blu-ray SKUs will include 5 featurettes (A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times, Anatomy of a Scene: Prologue, Anatomy of a Scene: The Dance, Shaping the Waves: A Conversation with James Jean, and Guillermo del Toro’s Master Class) along with theatrical trailers.

In terms of A/V specs, both Blu-rays will include 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The 4K disc will also likely include HDR10 high dynamic range. For those keeping track at home, the film was shot digitally in the ARRIRAW codec (3.2K) with a 2K Digital Intermediate.

Here’s what the cover artwork looks like (click to pre-order them on Amazon.com)...

In announcement news today, Lionsgate has set A24’s The Florida Project for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/13, followed by The Disaster Artist on both formats on 3/13. [Read on here…]

Scream Factory has just announced Amicus title The House That Dropped Blood (1971) for Blu-ray release on 5/8. Scream has also set Doctor Blood’s Coffin (1961) and The Vampire and the Ballerina (1960) for release on Blu-ray on 5/15 and 5/22, respectively.

Kino Lorber has revealed that Paul Verhoeven’s Spetters (1980) is coming to Blu-ray and DVD later this year (street date TBA).

Arrow Video is working on Pieces (1982) for release on Blu-ray in the UK, as well as Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) for release on Blu-ray in both the US and UK.Also for UK readers, Eureka! has announced a new Blu-ray/DVD combo release of Delbert Mann’s Marty (1955) on 4/9.

And here’s something exciting: Umbrella Entertainment is bringing back its Drive-In Delirium series on Blu-ray with the newly-announced April release of Drive-In Delirium: The New Batch. This third volume in the series will include “6 hours of non-stop sex, violence, vehicle destruction, cockamamie cosmic carnage (not to mention an overload of Bronson badassness)” in the form of fully remastered film trailers. You can watch the promo for the release here:

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Also today, it appears that Disney’s official announcement for Star Wars: The Last Jedi will happen on 2/20, based on retail solicitation artwork we’ve seen over the weekend.

And speaking of Star Wars, you’ve probably now seen the full trailer for Disney and Lucasfilm’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, but if you haven’t, here’s a look...

This is just a quick Super Bowl Sunday post here to bring you news that Best Buy is now running ads that reveal the street date for Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD. The date is 3/27, just as we’ve said here at The Bits for weeks now. It seems reasonable to assume that the official announcement by the studio is close, so stay tuned.

Thanks to Bits reader Bryan Pistole for the art. Continue on below the break to see it for yourself. [Read on here…]

While we’re talking Star Wars, word from sources suggests that a short trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story will debut tonight during the Super Bowl on NBC, and then the full trailer will appear tomorrow morning on Good Morning America (on ABC) and also online on the official Star Wars.com website. I don’t know about you, but we’re eager to get our first look at this one.

One other piece of 4K Ultra HD news today… Lionsgate has launched pre-orders on Amazon over the weekend for Knowing and Push on the format with a street date of 4/10. You can see the art and pre-order them both at Amazon here…

As you can see, we’ve also included art for Fox’s Maze Runner: The Death Cure on 4K, which is also available for pre-order on Amazon (street date TBA).

All right, enjoy the game, have a great evening, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!

The big news today is that Paramount has just set Alexander Payne’s Downsizing for Blu-ray, DVD, Digital, and 4K Ultra HD release on 3/20. Extras will include 6 behind-the-scenes featurettes (including Working with Alexander, The Cast, A Visual Journey, A Matter of Perspective, That Smile, and A Global Concern). Audio will be DTS-HD MA.

In addition, it looks like Paramount is releasing Cheech & Chong’s Still Smoking on Blu-ray on 4/10, in addition to the Up in Smoke: 40th Anniversary Edition we mentioned on Wednesday.

Now then... if you haven’t already purchased any of Universal’s Despicable Me titles in 4K Ultra HD, the studio is releasing an Illumination Presents: 3-Movie Collection of all three of them on 3/13 for $79.98. [Read on here…]

Universal will also release Fifty Shades of Freed on 4K day and date with the Blu-ray and DVD release later in 2018.

Warner Bros Home Entertainment’s direct-to-video sequel Deep Blue Sea 2 arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 4/17. You can see the cover artwork below.

Warner and Adult Swim have set The Robot Chicken: Walking Dead Special for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/27.

Shout! Factory has announced that their next Select Blu-ray release will be a new Wild at Heart: Collector’s Edition, due on 5/22, and it will have some new bonus features (TBA).

Shout! Factory has also just announced new Steelbook releases of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure on 5/15. They’re being produced in a limited run of 10,000 units. Here’s what they look like...

ClassicFlix is releasing the John Alton Film Noir Collection on Blu-ray, featuring new restorations of T-Men (1947), Raw Deal (1948), and He Walked by Night (1948). Look for that on 3/20. For those of you who may not know the name, Alton was a prolific cinematographer, particularly of classic film noir, with over a hundred titles to his credit.

Arrow Academy is releasing Roger Donaldson’s Sleeping Dogs on Blu-ray on 4/17 as well.And Arrow Video has Dario Argento’s Deep Red set for both formats on 4/10.

We’ll leave you with a look more upcoming titles (with Amazon.com pre-order links if available)...

All right, we have some potentially huge catalog news for you fans of the 4K Ultra HD format today...

Consider these Rumor Mill-worthy, because while the information come from reliable retail and industry sources, they have not yet been officially confirmed by the studios in question.

Still... our sources tell us that Universal is currently preparing to bring Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, Jurassic Park III, and Jurassic World to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray this summer, in anticipation of the June theatrical (and later home video) release of the new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. [Read on here…]

We also have word that the studio has plans to bring The Incredible Hulk (2008) to 4K Ultra HD in early 2018. Now, Universal currently has the Blu-ray version of The Incredible Hulk due for re-issue in new packaging (celebrating the Marvel Studios anniversary) on 2/13. Our retail sources are suggesting April-ish for the 4K release. This would be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe catalog title (non-new theatrical release) to arrive in the U.S. on the 4K format. One hopes it might encourage Disney to begin releasing their own MCU catalog titles on 4K this year.

Not done yet: Sony is working on The Patriot (2000) and Fury (2014) for release on 4K UHD, likely in May or June.

And of course, all of this is in addition to the news we posted earlier this week, that Warner is planning to release Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey on 4K Ultra HD in 2018 in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary. Not to mention other titles we know are coming to 4K, which include Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, Gladiator, The Big Lebowski, and more.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for some of the upcoming 4K titles now available for pre-order on Amazon.com (just click on the cover art, and please do so as it allows us to keep The Bits going)...

The big news today is that 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has just set Martin McDonagh’s Best Picture-nominated film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 2/27. The Digital release is expected on 2/13. Extras on the Blu-rays will include the Six Shooter short film and the Crucify ‘Em: The Making of Three Billboards featurette. Audio will be DTS-HD MA on both Blu-ray versions.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate has set Hangman for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 2/27.

Paramount is releasing a Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke: 40 Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray on 4/10. No word yet if there’s any new extras, but this is the first release of the title on the format.

Shout! Factory has just announced that they’re releasing Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Singles Collection on DVD on 5/22. It’s a collection of out-of-print films “only released as solo acts” including The Crawling Hand, The Hellcats, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Eegah, I Accuse My Parents, and Shorts: Volume 3. You also get new epiode intros by Joel Hodgson, 2 featurettes (Man on Poverty Row: The Films of Sam Newfield and Don’t Knock the Strock), plus MST Hour wraps. If you order the title on their website you get an exclusive poster.

Flicker Alley is releasing another newly-restored Cinerama title on Blu-ray on 5/15: Windjammer: The Voyage of the Christian Radich.

The big news today is that Scream Factory has just announced the It’s Alive Trilogy for release as a Blu-ray box set on 5/15. A potentially great title aside, the most interesting aspect of this is that these are Warner Bros titles, so it seems possible that this could be just the first of several titles coming to BD from Shout!/Scream and Warner in 2018. We look forward to hearing more. [Read on here…]

GKids and Shout! Factory have set the animated Birdboy: The Forgotten Children for Blu-ray and DVD on 3/13.

Universal has set Pitch Perfect 3 for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 3/20, with the digital release expected on 3/1. The original Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 are expected to arrive in stores on 4K Ultra HD on 3/20 as well.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/13. Sony has also set Dan Gilroy’s Roman J. Israel, Esq., starring Denzel Washington, for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/13.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced the CG-animated Ferdinand for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 3/13, with the digital release set for 2/27.

For TV fans, MGM and Fox has also set The Handmaid’s Tale: Season One for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/13. All 10 episodes will be included, along with 2 featurettes (From Script to Screen and Hope in Gilead).

Fox has also set Homeland: The Complete Sixth Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/6. Extras on the Blu-ray will include The PaleyFest 2016 Q&A, On Location: New York City, and About Season 6.

Lionsgate has set the horror/thriller film The Executioners for Blu-ray and DVD release on 3/27.

We mentioned this a few days ago, but it bears reminding: Kino Lorber is releasing the early silent western classic The Covered Wagon on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/20. Extras will include a Wurlitzer organ score by Gaylord Carter, audio commentary by film historian Toby Roan, a booklet essay by film scholar Matt Hauske, and the Shirley Temple short The Pie-Covered Wagon (1932).

Kino Lorber and Redemption films have also set Jess Franco’s The Diabolical Dr. Z for Blu-ray and DVD on 2/6.

Synapse Films has set the documentary Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/13. Also coming that day on both formats from Synapse is the animated Path of Blood. Expect both titles to include good extras, with Unearthed & Untold loaded with content.

Disney has just announced LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures – Season Two for DVD release on 3/13.

And finally today, two other things worth noting...First, the James Bond films are now available for viewing in 4K on iTunes. I haven’t seen them myself, but I hear good things. There’s no word yet of 4K Ultra HD releases of any of them, though it seems likely to be considered closer to the next Bond film arriving in theaters.

Also, the trailer for Duncan Jones’ next film, Mute, has just landed on YouTube. Jones considers the film, a science fiction tale that debuts exclusively on Netflix on 2/23, a spiritual sequel to his earlier Moon (2009). It certainly looks stunning. You can watch the trailer here...

So today’s post is a quick one, but it’s a very, very good bit of news, especially for catalog and 4K fans…

Retail sources have begun telling us that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is preparing to release a 4K Ultra HD version of director Stanley Kubrick’s landmark science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey. This is something we’ve actually known was coming for a few months now, having heard it off the record directly from studio sources. Now that we’re finally hearing the first word from retailers we feel comfortable confirming it. [Read on here…]

It should be noted that 2001 debuted theatrically on 4/2/68, which would make 2018 the film’s 50th Anniversary. So you can bet the studio will be making a lot of noise about the re-issue. Our sources suggest a planned late March or early April release on 4K Ultra HD, so you can also expect that announcement to happen fairly soon. Not only should 2001 be a fantastic catalog title on 4K UHD, having been filmed in 65 mm, the release bodes very well for other classic catalog titles on the format from Warner. Anyway, we expect to hear more soon, so keep checking back.

Meanwhile, we’ve also learned that Paramount is planning to release Mission: Impossible – Fallout on 4K Ultra HD after its theatrical release this summer. Sources are suggesting to us that the earlier Mission: Impossible films are likely to be released on 4K by Paramount around that time as well, in much the same way that the Transformers films were last year with the home video debut of Transformers: The Last Knight.

In announcement news today, Kino has set a pair of classic Gloria Swanson silent comedies, both directed by Allan Dwan, for release on Blu-ray on 4/10 as part of their Studio Classics line-up. They include Manhandled (1924) and Stage Struck (1925). Each is mastered from recent 2K scans, and will include audio commentaries, booklet essays, and accompanying piano scores. [Read on here…]

But here’s the big announcement: Kino has just officially set The Outer Limits: Season One for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/27. This is the first time the series has been released on Blu-ray, this as a 7-disc set (SRP $99.95). The series has been released on DVD previously by MGM, but this new edition will be an 8-disc set. Not only will the sets include all 32 episodes (presented in brand new HD masters), you’ll get no less than 24 audio commentary tracks by leading film historians (including the likes of David J. Schow, Tim Lucas, Craig Beam, Dr. Reba Wissner, Gary Gerani, Michael Hyatt, and Steve Mitchell), along with a 40-page booklet featuring an essay by Schow and an episode guide to the series. You can see what the packaging will look like here (click on the image to pre-order it on Amazon.com)…

Also today, Severin Films has just announced that they’re working on a first-ever Blu-ray edition of Peter Medak’s The Changeling (1980) for release later this year.

In 4K news, it appears that the street date for 20th Century Fox’s animated Ferdinand will be 3/13 on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD, based on information from retail sources.

Finally today, we’d like to call your attention to a great new podcast series being produced the good folks at Shout! Factory. It’s called Shout!Takes, hosted by our old friend Brian Ward, and it offers fans the chance to hear great additional behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes on some of your favorite films and TV series, culled from unused interview material shot by Shout!’s producers for use in their Blu-ray and DVD titles. You can find it on the Shout! Factory website and also here in iTunes. The latest interview features Megan Ward talking about Dark Skies. Do give it a listen; we think you’ll enjoy it.

And that’s all for this week. See you back here on Monday with more. Stay tuned…!

First of all, we’d like to announce that The Digital Bits is teaming up with the fine folks over at Midnight’s Edge for a new video blog series in which we’ll be talking about the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD news, home video industry issues, the latest movies, technology, and more. The current plan is to create about two segments a month, featuring myself, Tim Salmons, or both, joined in video roundtable discussion by others from Midnight’s Edge. [Read on here…]

The first installment of this series is up now on the Midnight’s Edge YouTube channel and you can watch it here below. It features yours truly, (Bits editor Bill Hunt) talking about streaming, format wars, and the history of the home video industry with Tom Connors Jr and Andre Einherjar. It runs well over an hour and includes a ton of nostalgic images and clips from the early days of the home video industry. I think you’ll find it interesting. Let us know what you think by commenting on our Facebook and Twitter pages (and please feel free to follow me personally on Twitter, as its where I tend to spend the most time on social media). If you like the video, please share it on your own social media pages. The sky’s the limit in terms of future topics, so we hope you’ll subscribe to the channel and tune in for our future installments. Meanwhile, here’s the first one. Enjoy!

Finally, I have indeed gotten my hands on Warner’s Blade Runner 2049 on Blu-ray 3D and I’m working on a review of it for you now. It should be up later today, or tomorrow morning at the latest. So be sure to watch for that.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just announced Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/27, with the Digital release set for 2/6. There is no 4K Ultra HD release currently planned. Extras will include audio commentary by Wright and two featurettes (Into Darkest Hour and Gary Oldman: Becoming Churchill). As some of you know, this film was just nominated for Best Picture in the forthcoming Academy Awards and Oldman was nominated for Best Actor. You can see the cover artwork at left and below. [Read on here…]

Also today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has set LEGO DC Super Heroes: The Flash for Blu-ray and DVD release on 3/13.

Flicker Alley has just set a This Is Cinerama: Deluxe Edition for release on Blu-ray on 5/8. The film has been newly restored from its “original three-panel, six-perf camera elements.” Extras will include audio commentary with with John Sittig (Cinerama Inc.), David Strohmaier (Cinerama Restorer), Randy Gitsch (Cinerama Historian), and Jim Morrison (original crew member), along with The Best in the Biz, Restoring This is Cinerama, an Alternate European Opening to Act Two, Cinerama Everywhere, a Tribute to the New Neon Movies, a Radio Interview with Cinerama Creator, Fred Waller, a recreated This is Cinerama trailer, Cinerama Returns to the Cinerama Dome (a 2002 announcement trailer), a Breakdown Reel, and TV spots.

Lionsgate has set Acts of Violence for Blu-ray and DVD release on 3/27, starring Bruce Willis. Also coming from the studio on both formats are The Vanishing of Sidney Hall and Small Town Crime on 3/20. Look also for Hangman, staring Al Pacino, Karl Urban, and Brittany Snow, on both formats on 2/27.

Kino Lorber has set Highway Dragnet (1954) for Blu-ray release on 3/20.

And in related news, Star Wars.com released a new episode of The Star Wars Show today, revealing that the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD versions of The Last Jedi will include filmmaker commentary and deleted scenes. No street date has been offered yet, but watch for an official announcement soon. Word from the same video is that the novelization of The Last Jedi will include even more deleted material, if you’re interested.

FYI, we’ve gotten our hands on a copy of Blade Runner 2049 on Blu-ray 3D, so we should have a review for you here at the site tomorrow.

We’ll leave you with a look at the cover artwork for more upcoming (with Amazon pre-order links if available)…

In release news today, Amazon is now taking pre-orders on 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s The X-Files: The Complete Season 11 on Blu-ray and DVD ($29.99 and $19.99). Street date is still TBA.

Our friends over at Twilight Time have announced their April Blu-ray release slate, which is set to include Paul Schrader’s Auto Focus (2002), Philip Dunne’s Blue Denim (1959), Jacques Demy’s Model Shop (1969), and Martin Ritt’s No Down Payment (1957). [Read on here…]

Kino Lorber has announced the 3/20 Blu-ray and DVD release of William Wellman’s Stingaree (1934) as part of their Studio Classics line.

Well Go USA has set Yucihi Fukuda’s Gintama for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/6. This is a live-action film based on a popular manga.

And we still haven’t got an official Star Wars: The Last Jedi home video announcement yet from Disney and Lucasfilm, though one is expected anytime now. But we do know, from retail postings, that in addition to the regular Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K editions, Target will have an exclusive Blu-ray/DVD Combo packaged with a 40-page gallery book and Best Buy will have exclusive Blu-ray and 4K Combos in Steelbook packaging. We see no evidence yet of a US Blu-ray 3D release, though it appears the UK will get one. But we’ll have to wait for the official announcement to be sure.

In other news today, the Oscar nominations were announced this morning in Hollywood. For the record, the Best Picture nominees include Call Me by Your Name, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, Get Out, Lady Bird, Phantom Thread, The Post, The Shape of Water, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, while the Best Director nominees include Christopher Nolan, Jordan Peele, Greta Gerwig, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Guillermo del Toro. You can read the full list here at Variety.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above, along with Criterion’s recent April slate titles. Click on each to pre-order the title on Amazon, if available…